Long wait is over

Loyola four-star cornerback David Long had a whirlwind weekend topped off with a huge scholarship offer Monday afternoon.

Los Angeles (Calif.) Loyola four-star athlete David Long had the type
of performance at The Opening Regional in Oakland that recruits dream
of.

It was a performance Sunday that earned not only Army All-American
honors and an invitation to The Opening Finals, but it also resulted in
a scholarship from his dream school.

“After school I was going home and received a direct message on Twitter
from Peter Sirmon,” said Long. “He asked me to give him a call and he
wanted me to call Coach Sark.

“It really feels like a relief. I’ve been waiting for this offer since
my sophomore year, so it’s really big for me.”

Long, who ran a 4.40 40-yard dash during NIKE Ratings testing Sunday
and is running in the high 10.6 range in the 100-meters, quantified how
big the scholarship offer from USC is in the grand scheme of your
commitment.

“I was definitely hoping for the offer,” said Long. “I was hoping for
it on junior day at USC, but it didn’t come. I wanted before then, but
it is a relief to have it now.

“As far as it changing the course of my recruitment, in a sense, I’m
going to treat it like every other offer I’ve got. I’m going to look at
it, although I know a lot about USC already.

“I probably know a lot more about the school than any other school I’m
looking at. I know people on campus, I know the coaches really well and
USC is only like four blocks from Loyola.

“But I definitely still have to look over my options, so this doesn’t
necessarily change the course of my recruitment.”

That course will see a cut in college options the next few weeks.

“I’m cutting it down after the spring evaluation period because I don’t
want to waste anyone’s time,” said Long. “I don’t want to rush myself
either. I’m just going to take my time and do what i set out to do.”

Sunday, Long remarked that USC had not been in much personal contact
with him over the May Evaluation Period. However, the lack of a
scholarship offer from the Trojans coaching staff to this point doesn’t
affect why Long coveted USC as an option to begin with.

“It’s home, it’s big time football and a lot of the guys I’ve known
growing up and admired went there,” said Long. “Guys like Kevon Seymour… guys that I look up to are going there now.

“Also, a few coaches on the Loyola staff are from SC, so the type of
environment there and how they treat the players is something I
definitely see myself around.”

Long is rated the nation’s No. 16 cornerback by Scout, although he has
also been categorized as an athlete because of his ability to play slot
receiver for the Cubs.

“My preference is to play whatever position gets me on the field and
helps my team,” said Long. “USC has been talking to me about playing
defensive back. I haven’t really spoken to Tee Martin outside of when
I’ve been on campus, so I imagine they want me as a defensive back.”